I've wanted a mill as long as I've wanted a lathe, but I knew I needed a lathe first. I got that sorted out about 18 months ago and I've got a lovely big capacity Harrison.
Finally, when I started looking for a mill, I knew I wanted it to be relatively hefty, relatively adaptable/flexible, and most importantly, CNC.
Reasons:
- automatic oilers keep the ways in better condition
- ball screws as standard for accuracy and climb milling
- circular interpolations and BCD spacings make a flat rotary table redundant - one less bit of kit to buy
- repetitive tasks like making steelwork end plates - can all be drilled via CNC rather than by hand - eliminating the need for an ironworker
- everyone is scared of old CNC controls - making them better value for money over the manual equivalent
I started looking at used machines from late 90's/early 00's, but even the dealer ones were worn out. There is some junk out there.
Finally a mate who owns a machine shop told me he was buying another large bed mill and his smallest one would be up for grabs. I said yes please!
It has a Centroid control, which is not common over here, but it was leaps and bounds ahead of the competition in its time. Uses G-code for 3D CNC milling, and has a simple conversational programming control.
The first thing I wanted to make for it was a large fly cutter head, so I turned this 6" lump in the lathe and set it up in the mill for a slot and some grub screws. It will take 1" shanked lathe tools, including my indexable carbide... should be good for skimming up to 10" widths.
I squared up the control head with some shouldered spacers, it annoyed me seeing it slant down like that!
The first thing I wanted to make for it was a large fly cutter head, so I turned this 6" lump in the lathe and set it up in the mill for an angled slot and a flat to drill for grub screws. It will take 1" shanked lathe tools, including my indexable carbide... should be good for skimming up to 10" widths.